Recommendations for a 650b rim?

[abalone]

Does anybody do 650b around here? I'm an old roadie who has never had a 650b bike before and was looking for a recommendation on rims.

I want to mount use 42mm tires, or at least 38mm tires. Anyone have any experience with a 650b rim that is lightweight and reasonably durable? Are there any 650b rims out there that fit the bill without breaking the bank? The tires themselves are expensive enough!

[Marburg]

Disk or rim brake? I've used Synergies and found them nice. Have also considered the Velo Orange rims, but no personal experience.

[oldpotatoe]

Does anybody do 650b around here? I'm an old roadie who has never had a 650b bike before and was looking for a recommendation on rims.

I want to mount use 42mm tires, or at least 38mm tires. Anyone have any experience with a 650b rim that is lightweight and reasonably durable? Are there any 650b rims out there that fit the bill without breaking the bank? The tires themselves are expensive enough!

Velocity(altho their QC has been lacking lately), H+Son makes a couple, altho I'm not sure those are imported. DT M480, altho I've never built one. But if like other DT rims, probably very nice, and pricy.

[weisan]

abalone-pal, this may not apply to you. When I convert my old bianchi to 650b, I bought a set of wheels from this pal on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291232104064?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And then I went with the the Panaracer Col de Vie.
http://www.jensonusa.com/Panaracer-Col-De-Vie-Tire#brm-search?request_type=search&search_type=keyword&q=panaracer%20col&l=panaracer%20col

Total less than $200.

I was happy with the results. It's perfect for a combination of road and hard-packed trail riding.

[oddsaabs]

I'd steer you towards the Pacenti SL23 for rim brakes or CL23 for disc.

http://pacenticycledesign.com/index.php/products/rims/sl23-650b-32h-detail

Excellent rims that are strong, light, and true. Never had a lick of trouble with either.

[malcolm]

Pacenti
Instrumental in the 650b revolution and a helpful member here

[JAGI410]

Pacenti
Instrumental in the 650b revolution and a helpful member here

+1, damn fine products too.

[krismac23]

Pacenti +1

[merckx]

Grand Bois are available in 650b with a polished silver finish.

[bikinchris]

I have built up several of the Synergy 650B rims and they are fine. Especially when used with the plugs instead of rim strips.

Another choice not mentioned yet are the Grand Bois rims:

http://www.compasscycle.com/rims_gb_650b.html

I have not built these, but I have used their tires and they are nice.

[abalone]

There are some great suggestions here. The Velocity Synergy rims look interesting, but they seem kinda narrow for a 38mm or 42mm tire. Then again, the wheels that weisan recommends are very budget friendly and I like that. The Other Pacenti rims are totally sweet as well. Good to have choices. I think it's going to have to come down to price and weight.

[EricEstlund]

The Synergy are 23mm wide, and are a fine match for the more common 38-42mm tires. They are the same width as the A23 and SL23's (also good choices). I use all three.